Method and apparatus for racking articles for surface treatment

Abstract

A process employing a rack having an article carrier that is movably supported on a frame and mechanically coupled for translating movement from a motor to the article carrier to effect movement of an article during processing to provide more uniform surface treatment, reducing or eliminating the need for shielding.

1. An electroplating rack comprising;
 a frame; 
 at least one electrically conductive hook extending upwardly from the frame to facilitate suspension of the frame from a rail; 
 an article carrier moveably supported on the frame, the article carrier including a shaft rotatably supported on the frame by a lower journal mechanism located adjacent a lower end of the frame and an upper journal mechanism located adjacent an upper end of the frame; and 
 a mechanical linkage for transmitting movement from a motor to the article carrier to effect relative movement of the article carrier with respect to the frame, whereby articles mounted on the article carrier are moveable through an electrolyte in an electroplating bath when the electroplating rack is positioned with the article carrier submerged in the electrolyte. 
 
     
     
       2. The electroplating rack of  claim 1 , wherein the article carrier further comprises a plurality of arms extending radially away from the vertically oriented axle at spaced apart angles, the distal ends of the arms carrying an article-gripping element for physically and electrically attaching articles that are to be electroplated to the electroplating rack. 
     
     
       3. The electroplating rack of  claim 1 , wherein lower portions of the frame and article carrier which are to be submerged during electroplating of articles are coated with an electrically insulative material. 
     
     
       4. An electroplating rack comprising:
 a frame having at least one member for suspending the frame in an electroplating bath, the frame having an electrically insulative coating to prevent metal from plating on surfaces of the frame suspended in an electrolyte during an electroplating process; 
 an article carrier moveably supported on the frame; and 
 a mechanical linkage for transmitting movement from a motor to the article carrier to effect relative movement of the article carrier with respect to the frame, whereby articles mounted on the article carrier are moveable through an electrolyte in an electroplating bath when the electroplating rack is positioned with the article carrier submerged in the electrolyte; 
 wherein the article carrier includes a shaft rotatably supported on the frame by a lower journal mechanism located adjacent a lower end of the frame and an upper journal mechanism located adjacent an upper end of the frame. 
 
     
     
       5. An electroplating rack comprising:
 a frame having at least one member for suspending the frame in an electroplating bath, the frame having a generally rectangular structure defined by vertically arranged side members, a horizontally arranged top member, and a horizontally arranged bottom member; 
 an article carrier movably supported on the frame; and 
 a mechanical linkage for transmitting movement from a motor to the article carrier to effect relative movement of the article carrier with respect to the frame, whereby articles mounted on the article carrier are movable through an electrolyte in an electroplating bath when the electroplating rack is positioned with the article carrier submerged in the electrolyte, 
 wherein the article carrier includes a shaft rotatably supported on the frame by a lower journal mechanism located adjacent a lower end of the frame and an upper journal mechanism located adjacent an upper end of the frame.